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SBIR Phase I: Separation of Light Hydrocarbon Mixtures by Pervaporation

Award Information

Agency:
National Science Foundation 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
62815 		Program Year/Program:
2003 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
0233047 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
1360 Willow Rd. Suite 103 Menlo Park, CA 94025-
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Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2003
Title: SBIR Phase I: Separation of Light Hydrocarbon Mixtures by Pervaporation
Agency: NSF
Contract: 0233047
Award Amount: $100,000.00
 

Abstract:

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project focuses on the separation of light hydrocarbon mixtures by pervaporation. Chemically and mechanically robust composite membranes have been made; these membranes showed good selectivities and fluxes when tested with propylene/propane mixtures. In the proposed project a range of related membranes will be evaluated with three target light hydrocarbon mixtures: propylene/propane, n-butane/isobutane and toluene/n-octane. These close-boiling mixtures are produced on a very large scale in petrochemical plants and refineries and are expensive to separate by distillation. Based on the Phase I membrane performance results, a preliminary economic and technical analysis will be prepared. The most promising membrane and application will be targeted for the focus of the Phase II project and for commercialization activities. Potential Commercial Applications of the research separation of close-boiling light hydrocarbon mixtures, such as propylene from propane, is performed on a massive scale in the petrochemical and refining industries. Lower-cost, more energy-efficient membrane-based separation technology would be widely adopted.

Principal Investigator:

Andre Da Costa

Business Contact:

Small Business Information at Submission:

Membrane Technology & Research Inc
1360 Willow Road Suite 103 Menlo Park, CA 94025

EIN/Tax ID:
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No